The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1887-02-02
ONE DAY.

The carriages were coming back from
the Pincian Hill and the Borghese gar
dens. Tho sun was setting and the
crowds OF people on foot and riding
who had been listening to the music
and looking at each other, camo down
through the Piazza del Popolo, bound
homoward before the darkness sol in.
nit was u gay crowd that the old obo-
lsk with its spouting lions saw surging
around its base, separating into two
human streams, and pouring down the
streets That branch of from tho Piazza
the C0fso aild the Via dol Babuino.
Carriages Of every kind, filled with
gayly dressed women, dashed through
the city gate and made their way
through the dense mass Of pleasure
seekers.
dog cart with mangnillcent horses
come quickly from the direction Of the
Borghese gardens;a tall, aristocrat.c.
looking man Is driving, and Is appar-
emily trying to catch UP with victoria
just ahead Of him, in which Il woman
is seatcd--a woman dressed in the
height Of fashion, and of strange,
tiger-like beauty; slender she ie, with
mass Of hair Of that peculiar color of
reddish gold, firm set lips, and proud,
defiant look III her clear. magnificent
eyes. The people Oh foot give way be-
fore the carriages until they are almost
ABREAST One person only-a young
man covered with dust, with KNAPP.
sack on his back-apparently does not
hear The approaching horses, but stands
looking at the woman in the victoria,
oblivious to anything else. Only when
the horses Of the dog-cart are almost
upon him, and the driver cries out to
him, does he hear; then he moves aside
}ittlo.
As tho carriage dasuQ9 l)&st, tbs gen
tlDmai dyiptng reaches 0oWn ana With
@nuStnred ulfse, cpta tDe yonng iray.
eier aeros& tilofaco w}yhli9 whip. Jt
!ea59St finSon(ine 'l'la young n1al
does notely QUt, hDrply stys quiesis 10
J. b. .a.a44uol.
"Who is that man2''
THE Prince Borghese.'
And the lady in the other car
riage2"
"The Princess Vera, his future
wife2"
"Ah, thanksl" he says, and walks to
one of the four fountains at the base Of
the great obelisk, and bathcs bis face
III tile water.
There are fewer people about now.
The piazza is almost deserted The sun
sinks down out of sight. Darkness
comes and all is silent; not soul to be
seen; all the piazzas are deserted.
Only the trayel-stained pilgrim sits
by the fountains with the mark of the
cruel lash on his handsome boylsh face.
x
There is ball that night at the Rus.
sian embassy; the rooms, decorated
with fabulous extravaganza, arc like
scenes from fairy lands.
Masses Of rarest flowers and plants
are placed around; richest tapestries
and statues mako the old palace look as
though it was garden called up by a
:ssastcian.
All nations are there; beauties from
Ill parts Of the civilized world are at
the ball that night; it is the event Of
Che season, and tho last for some time,
Ss Lent is coming on; so the guests are
making the most Of their time to the
music Of the musicians, hidden behind
bank OF flowers and palm-branches.
Women in gorgeous raiment. blazing
with jewels, smile, their eyes sparkle
with enjoyment, ana all Is one grand
carnival Of pleasure.
or the bathrooms are doors LEADING
out on to the terrace; tho nipbt ia
warm; several persons. finding the mir
inside oppressive, walk out into tha
moonlight and stroll leisurely IN and
down, or sit in the shade Of the orange
trees.
The Prince Borghese and tho pr,n.
cess Vera come out and walk; she ls
magnificent in her ball dress OF aot,n
anu lace with a necklace Of diamonda
and diamonds sparkling in her hair.
the prince is talking to her in low
tones, holding his head close to hers.
a shadow comes out Of the darkness
and stands in their path. The prince
looks up, angry at the interruption; the
princess, too, looks and gives an in
voluntary start,
wen, sir, what can wo do for you?n